Proposed Gun Registration Law Stirs Debate

James HalpinMarch 16, 2019

WILKES-BARRE — A proposed new gun-control measure creating a statewide firearms registry is creating waves among local gun owners. The Firearm Registration Act, which was referred to the Judiciary Committee last week, would require private gun owners to register all their weapons and place strong restrictions on storing weapons. Local gun-rights advocates were quick to criticize the initiative. “All they’re looking to do is get a foot in the door to slowly, slowly disarm the country, starting off with Pennsylvania,” said Edward Piestrak, owner of Piestrak’s Gun Shop in Nanticoke. He questioned how a registry would prevent gun violence in schools. “That’s what they’re really concerned about, all the violence in the schools,” Piestrak said. “How would that prevent that? All you’re doing is you’re restricting the law-abiding people, as opposed to the criminals.” In a statement announcing the legislation, Rep. Angel Cruz, D-Philadelphia, said he wanted to ensure only eligible residents can own guns and that all guns are “properly accounted for.” “In this world of instant information, we can’t go an hour without hearing on the news or social media about crime, injury or death involving firearms,” Cruz said in the statement. “Pew Research Center reports that almost half of Americans personally know someone who has been shot, with 40,000 gun-related deaths reported in 2017. Six in 10 Americans believe that our nation’s gun laws are not strict enough, and it’s time something be done to address this problem.” The legislation would require all firearms in the state — except for those owned by the government, law enforcement and correctional officers — to be registered with Pennsylvania State Police. It would prohibit the possession and transfer of weapons to people who do not hold registration certificates, and would require annual renewal at $10 per firearm. State police would be required to gather biographical information such as the registrant’s name and age, as well as fingerprints and photographs of their faces. Approval would be contingent on the applicant having never been convicted of a violent crime and not having been convicted of a drug offense during the previous five years. Those who are approved would be required to keep their guns “unloaded and disassembled or bound by a trigger lock, gun safe or similar device.” The only exception is if the gun is in the owner’s immediate possession while the person is at home or work, or engaged in a lawful recreational purpose. Joe Lasecki Jr., owner of Nimrod Haven Gun Shop in Hanover Twp., said a registry would result in law-abiding gun owners having to go through an onerous process to keep their firearms while having no effect on criminals. “Criminals don’t go and register their guns. They don’t go and get their mug shot or their fingerprints. And if somebody has (a gun), they can just steal theirs,” Lasecki said. “Criminals don’t follow the rules. The more rules we make, they still aren’t going to follow them.” He said the legislation was the result of some Democrats trying to “stir the pot” ahead of elections but said the effort is “dead in the water” in a political climate where gun-control measures have been rolled back. “The NRA’s not going to let that happen,” Lasecki said. “This ludicrousness doesn’t stand a chance.” Contact the writer: jhalpin@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2058